Jeremiah 2:1-3

Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “ I remember you, The kindness of your youth, The love of your betrothal, When you went after Me in the wilderness, In a land not sown. Israel was holiness to the LORD, The firstfruits of His increase. All that devour him will offend; Disaster will come upon them,” says the LORD.’”
Jeremiah 1:1-3 NKJV

God wanted Jerusalem to know that He remembered them. God had fond memories of the times that His people were faithful to Him and allowed Him to establish them in the wilderness as His people. Israel was holiness to the Lord, allowing God to cleanse their hearts and embed in them a new heart. Like a bride newly married, Israel had gone after God, following where He led. They had been in relative comfort in Egypt even though they were slaves. From the fertility of Egypt God had led them trough the harsh wilderness, where they would have died except for God's supplying of their need of food and water and life itself. Despite their complaints and murmurings, Israel had relied on the Lord for everything. Without Him they had nothing. Through the leading of God they came to the land of promise. A new generation had let God bring them into their inheritance with Joshua at their head. The people of Israel trusted and followed God as He established them in their new land. They were faithful to Him as they joined with Joshua in serving the Lord. God gave them peace and prosperity and they worshipped and honored Him in thankfulness. They were the firstfruits of the nations of the world, whom God planned that all nations would serve Him and have His blessings. God said that any nation that attempted to swallow up Israel would offend God, and disaster would come upon that nation. God had big plans for His bride, just as He has plans for us. He wants those who have given their hearts and lives to Him to know that He remembers them. He hears our thankfulness and remembers those thoughts of trust in Him that we express when we first experience the rush of love for Him as we realize that He loves and saves us. The kindness we show towards God as we accept His plans for us and show our gratitude for His blessings is returned to us a thousand times in more blessings and protection. God loves us and He remembers us even when we turn our backs to Him. He remembers the love we had for Him when we first accepted His proposal of marriage and became His bride. He loved us first, and He remembers when we first returned His love. We became His fruit and His holiness.

Lord,
Help me today to renew my vow of love for You. I am thankful that You remember me and will never forget me. Help me to remember You and all the blessings you have bestowed on me in the past and help me to accept the blessings you have for me today. Wash me of my sins so that I may be Your holiness and a fruit of Your increase. Help me to share the knowledge and love You have given me, so that others may also desire to have You as their Lord and Your fruit will increase even more.